The English Football Thread

right-track · 04-11-2010, 04:56 PM

Last season Ferguson let Tevez go and kept Berbatov for a good reason.
He scored more goals in less games, was the player with most assists and get this...covered more mileage per game than Tevez did (hard to imagine, but apparently true).

I like Berbatov and he has been and will be a better player in a different team.
Unfortunately, for a player like Berbatov, he needs to be in a team that accommodates his style of play and with Rooney playing a more central role as a lone striker this season, he's been left out too much for him to make an impact.
If he had a run in a two man attack alongside Rooney, or was the focus of the team alongside someone like Owen...he'd be a different player.
I think Ferguson actually bought Owen for Berbatov as an option for when Rooney was to be rested.
Sadly for Bebatov it hasn't worked out that way and he's suffered because of it.

He's the kind of forward that can give a striker goals on a plate, but while the team is built around Rooney, he'll never get a decent look in.
I think that the only way United are going to play a two man attack is if they buy a strong and aggressive defensive midfield playmaker who can protect the back four (to avoid a 5 man midfield) and is capable of splitting a defence with a pin point through ball.

In other words, I don't think Berbatov is the problem.
In my opinion, we need to replace Carrick and Anderson.

TheCunningStunt · 04-11-2010, 05:05 PM

Interesting slant on things. Although, Tevez and Rooney partnership upfront the year before won us the league and the champions league.. What was wrong with 2 small men upfront? The partnership was fine and he changed it after one season. I liked the Tevez-Rooney parternship. Don't you think singing someone in the same vein as Tevez - small, quick. Would've been a better option? Signing a crocked Michael Owen who will be in my affections because of THAT goal in September. But we all knew he wouldn't make a full season.. I like Berbatov but I feel you need a young quick player as well. Rooney, Unsigned striker, Berbatov, Kiko. That'd be my choice of strikers..

Premier league proven talent: Rodwell and Modric, though Rodwell is young and unproven, but the last time we signed a player like that from Everton... well...

right-track · 04-11-2010, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCunningStunt

Interesting slant on things. Although, Ronaldo the year before won us the league and the champions league...

Corrected.

TheCunningStunt · 04-11-2010, 05:16 PM

We had a trio of outstanding players that won it, all that 1 man team bollocks when we quite clearly had brilliant players. I feel after Ronaldo and Tevez left we were predicted to do poorly, we brushed aside this season cos we're still there with 5 games to go.. And now we're STILL a 1 man team.

right-track · 04-11-2010, 05:23 PM

It's only been recently (prior to Rooney's injury) that United have began to look dangerous.
Earlier in the season we had all the possession without even looking like scoring.

With Ronaldo still in the team and Rooney playing a more direct role as striker, we'd have been lethal this season.
Just take a look at the league. Chelsea top with 5 defeats!
Previous seasons would have had a team with 5 defeats struggling to qualify for the Champions League!

TheCunningStunt · 04-11-2010, 05:28 PM

Yep, or a striker in the first team more lethal than Berbatov and Berbatov providing as an option to pick apart smaller teams.

4-5-1 in big games, there's no trust there in Berbatov.

Even though I was 9 when the treble was won, and didn't notice about the formation etc. I was like BALL KICK IT GET GOALS.

But the semi against Arsenal, the semi against Inter, the final against Bayern etc. all them big matches, I'm sure Cole and Yorke started in a 4-4-2? Correct me if I'm wrong as you're much older

But if you can't trust your 32m pound striker to put in a shift and make up the numbers in midfield when you don't have the ball then what's the point in having him? Starting Darren Gibson in a big game over a 32m pound striker... there's something wrong there. What do you think?

right-track · 04-11-2010, 05:38 PM

I think he did it to accommodate a 5 man midfield.
When you have quality players right through the team then you can play a 4 man midfield and let the opposition worry about you.
I don't think Fergie doesn't trust Berbatov...it's the midfield's defensive qualities he doesn't trust.

TheCunningStunt · 04-11-2010, 05:46 PM

Trusted Keane and Scholes, but wouldn't trust Fletcher and Carrick? But putting Park in there would make the world of difference.

Even if we had a Modric to play in the midfield/off Rooney in a 4-5-1/4-4-1-1 would make us such a threat, someone to unlock defences because I feel Park can't do that. Wonderful squad player to have, gives his heart and soul but today he showed he couldn't unlock teams, runs out of ideas etc.

I believe a new proven goal scorer and a good midfielder are a must this summer. I just don't feel we're gonna get that

right-track · 04-11-2010, 05:49 PM

Barcelona have the model midfield. That's the standard we need to copy.

Daktari · 04-12-2010, 09:53 AM

Sorry to butt in here but, "BURNLEY F.C. WON" !

Away from home as well. And it was shown live here in Georgia. This could be the start of their much needed turn around. To go down 6-1 at home the week before then to bounce back like that. I still live in hope...

04-11-2010, 05:05 PM	#2632 (permalink)
TheCunningStunt love will tear you apart Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Manchester, UK. Posts: 5,107	Interesting slant on things. Although, Tevez and Rooney partnership upfront the year before won us the league and the champions league.. What was wrong with 2 small men upfront? The partnership was fine and he changed it after one season. I liked the Tevez-Rooney parternship. Don't you think singing someone in the same vein as Tevez - small, quick. Would've been a better option? Signing a crocked Michael Owen who will be in my affections because of THAT goal in September. But we all knew he wouldn't make a full season.. I like Berbatov but I feel you need a young quick player as well. Rooney, Unsigned striker, Berbatov, Kiko. That'd be my choice of strikers.. Premier league proven talent: Rodwell and Modric, though Rodwell is young and unproven, but the last time we signed a player like that from Everton... well... __________________ I don't feel and I feel great. Last FM

04-11-2010, 05:16 PM	#2634 (permalink)
TheCunningStunt love will tear you apart Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Manchester, UK. Posts: 5,107	We had a trio of outstanding players that won it, all that 1 man team bollocks when we quite clearly had brilliant players. I feel after Ronaldo and Tevez left we were predicted to do poorly, we brushed aside this season cos we're still there with 5 games to go.. And now we're STILL a 1 man team. __________________ I don't feel and I feel great. Last FM

04-11-2010, 05:28 PM	#2636 (permalink)
TheCunningStunt love will tear you apart Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Manchester, UK. Posts: 5,107	Yep, or a striker in the first team more lethal than Berbatov and Berbatov providing as an option to pick apart smaller teams. 4-5-1 in big games, there's no trust there in Berbatov. Even though I was 9 when the treble was won, and didn't notice about the formation etc. I was like BALL KICK IT GET GOALS. But the semi against Arsenal, the semi against Inter, the final against Bayern etc. all them big matches, I'm sure Cole and Yorke started in a 4-4-2? Correct me if I'm wrong as you're much older But if you can't trust your 32m pound striker to put in a shift and make up the numbers in midfield when you don't have the ball then what's the point in having him? Starting Darren Gibson in a big game over a 32m pound striker... there's something wrong there. What do you think? __________________ I don't feel and I feel great. Last FM

04-11-2010, 05:46 PM	#2638 (permalink)
TheCunningStunt love will tear you apart Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Manchester, UK. Posts: 5,107	Trusted Keane and Scholes, but wouldn't trust Fletcher and Carrick? But putting Park in there would make the world of difference. Even if we had a Modric to play in the midfield/off Rooney in a 4-5-1/4-4-1-1 would make us such a threat, someone to unlock defences because I feel Park can't do that. Wonderful squad player to have, gives his heart and soul but today he showed he couldn't unlock teams, runs out of ideas etc. I believe a new proven goal scorer and a good midfielder are a must this summer. I just don't feel we're gonna get that __________________ I don't feel and I feel great. Last FM

04-11-2010, 04:56 PM	#2631 (permalink)
right-track Atchin' Akai Join Date: May 2005 Location: Unamerica Posts: 8,723	Last season Ferguson let Tevez go and kept Berbatov for a good reason. He scored more goals in less games, was the player with most assists and get this...covered more mileage per game than Tevez did (hard to imagine, but apparently true). I like Berbatov and he has been and will be a better player in a different team. Unfortunately, for a player like Berbatov, he needs to be in a team that accommodates his style of play and with Rooney playing a more central role as a lone striker this season, he's been left out too much for him to make an impact. If he had a run in a two man attack alongside Rooney, or was the focus of the team alongside someone like Owen...he'd be a different player. I think Ferguson actually bought Owen for Berbatov as an option for when Rooney was to be rested. Sadly for Bebatov it hasn't worked out that way and he's suffered because of it. He's the kind of forward that can give a striker goals on a plate, but while the team is built around Rooney, he'll never get a decent look in. I think that the only way United are going to play a two man attack is if they buy a strong and aggressive defensive midfield playmaker who can protect the back four (to avoid a 5 man midfield) and is capable of splitting a defence with a pin point through ball. In other words, I don't think Berbatov is the problem. In my opinion, we need to replace Carrick and Anderson.

04-11-2010, 05:23 PM	#2635 (permalink)
right-track Atchin' Akai Join Date: May 2005 Location: Unamerica Posts: 8,723	It's only been recently (prior to Rooney's injury) that United have began to look dangerous. Earlier in the season we had all the possession without even looking like scoring. With Ronaldo still in the team and Rooney playing a more direct role as striker, we'd have been lethal this season. Just take a look at the league. Chelsea top with 5 defeats! Previous seasons would have had a team with 5 defeats struggling to qualify for the Champions League!

04-11-2010, 05:38 PM	#2637 (permalink)
right-track Atchin' Akai Join Date: May 2005 Location: Unamerica Posts: 8,723	I think he did it to accommodate a 5 man midfield. When you have quality players right through the team then you can play a 4 man midfield and let the opposition worry about you. I don't think Fergie doesn't trust Berbatov...it's the midfield's defensive qualities he doesn't trust.

04-11-2010, 05:49 PM	#2639 (permalink)
right-track Atchin' Akai Join Date: May 2005 Location: Unamerica Posts: 8,723	Barcelona have the model midfield. That's the standard we need to copy.

04-12-2010, 09:53 AM	#2640 (permalink)
Daktari Music Addict Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Originally from Lancashire, England, lived near Largs, Scotland and now live in Rocky Face, Georgia Posts: 154	Sorry to butt in here but, "BURNLEY F.C. WON" ! Away from home as well. And it was shown live here in Georgia. This could be the start of their much needed turn around. To go down 6-1 at home the week before then to bounce back like that. I still live in hope...